Fantasy Premier League Captain Picks Game-week 1
Welcome to Fantasy Premier League Captain Picks Game-week 1
Pre-season friendlies are bizarre affairs. They give Pep, Jose, Jurgen et al the chance to manage their teams like Frank Zappa would probably play Football Manager. Team sheets read akin to the mad ramblings of a deranged coach trolling fans because, “It’s pre-season so if I want Dave from Marketing at left-back, you can’t stop me”. Things escalate further during the game itself, as personnel are rotated in and out like the hokey-cokey shaking it all about on LSD. The 4th official, overworked by a myriad of substitutions, froths uncontrollably at the mouth and falls limply to the turf, incapacitated. Eventually the game stumbles to a shambolic ‘controllers out of the window’ video-game finale. All this happens while most of the star players (the players that people actually want in their FPL side) take picturesque selfies of themselves reclining in deckchairs, sipping on pina coladas.
Despite this, FPL managers cling to every assist and every goal, in the search of uncovering an under-the-radar gem to get the edge in Gameweek 1. But will we ever learn not to read too much into a deflected Josh Cullen shank against The Goat & Tricycle? Probably not, and neither should we, especially when the alternative is watching dressage or the modern pentathlon.
By now the nucleus of your squad will be taking shape and thoughts shall turn to the final piece in your FPL puzzle, the captain. For those playing with a straight bat, it’s a fairly easy choice this week, but the gamblers out there may fancy rolling the die to get out of the blocks sharpish. And if that’s not mixing metaphors, I don’t know what is.
5. RIYAD MAHREZ (away vs Hull City)
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[/three_fourth]The reigning PFA Player of the Year had a quiet European Championship. Those with a basic grasp of geography will argue that isn’t too surprising however, as Algeria is in Africa. 240 points put Mahrez streets ahead of the rest at the FPL summit last campaign, with 17 goals and 11 assists. A late start to preseason has allowed little indication as to what shape he’s in, but he encouragingly completed the full 90 in the Community Shield, suggesting he’s ready to pick up where he left off at a promoted Hull City. With Steve Bruce departed and injuries aplenty, the Tigers seem like a club determined to return to the Championship at the first attempt. They won’t get much sympathy from the current Premier League champions.
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4. ANDRE GRAY (home vs Swansea City)
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[/three_fourth]If judging players on pre-season form is your thing then shut the door, lock it, barricade with plywood and mummify yourself, cos you ain’t gonna need to go anywhere else. With a staggering nine goals, Gray has scored in every one of Burnley’s six friendlies, most notably a hat-trick at Ibrox. It’s worth mentioning that Sean Dyche’s men remained unbeaten throughout pre-season and will carry plenty of confidence into their opener hosting Swansea. Having just lost Andre Ayew, the Swans will be hoping their own excellent preparation hasn’t been ruined. The point is rather moot as in current form, last season’s top scorer in the Championship will feel he can score against anyone.
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3. HARRY KANE (away vs Everton)
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[/three_fourth]Harry Kane. Remember him? He’s that fella that couldn’t take a free-kick or trap a bag of cement during the Euros. Well he’s back, and a brace against Inter Milan last week suggests we’ll get the Spurs version of ‘Arry and not his international imposter. In a rejuvenated Koeman-led Everton, Tottenham have the trickiest task in this top five, but Kane’s 25 goals gave him the Golden Boot in May and has shown time and again that he falls into that coveted category of ‘fixture proof’, just so long as the fixture isn’t against Russia or Wales… or Slovakia… or Iceland. One striking fact about his… striking… is that he had a ridiculous 158 goal attempts last season compared with next best Aguero’s 119. Everyone loves a trier, right?
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2. EDEN HAZARD (home vs West Ham)
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[/three_fourth]2015/16 will be known as the season when the Eden project went temporarily offline. Then, with Hiddink’s tenure winding down, the Hazard lights suddenly flickered into life. Like Jimi Hendrix finding his favourite Stratocaster; or Brian Clough being reunited with Peter Taylor, the Belgian had shaken off his Kryptonite and his mojo was inexplicably restored. 4 goals in his final 5 games propelled him belatedly back into the FPL limelight and no doubt left a bittersweet taste in Chelsea fans’ mouths. A goal and 4 assists at the Euros gives good reason to think the 2015 Player of the Year is going to be back in business, starting at Stamford Bridge as new boss Antonio Conte takes on Bilic’s Hammers in Gameweek 1’s final matchup.
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1. SERGIO AGUERO (home vs Sunderland)
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[/three_fourth]One thing that has been particularly apparent to anyone watching the pre-season Manchester City is that they are in even more defensive disarray than last season. Encouraged to play the Guardiola way and pass their way out of trouble, City’s defence has struggled to adapt. Thankfully, the Citizens look as dangerous going forward as ever, and while new signings Gabriel Jesus and Leroy Sane will give FPL managers a midfield rotation migraine, it means our boy Kun will be getting chances served on a plate. With Big Sam gone from visitors Sunderland, Pep could hardly have wished for a gentler introduction to life in the Premier League and we could hardly have wanted an easier captain choice. It’ll be a bold move not to give the armband to a man who bagged 24 goals in just 30 games in 2015/16.
Thanks for reading Fantasy Premier League Captain Picks Game-week 1. This article was written by Bryan Munich
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Fixture Tracker – the first 6 games
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Trying to find the £4m defender who will start GW1… I’m in need of a £4m defender and have probably looked into it a bit more than I should have but here goes. Just to start with a few of the common £4m defenders who appear in a lot of RMTs but are highly unlikely to start much for their teams, Parades, Brad Smith & Lenihan…
Parades is quite dangerous to own IMO with such a high ownership (19.1%). People may look to get him out for another £4m starting defender or with early WCs too people will be unlikely to keep him if there are better options. 1/5 of the 2 million people registered to date own him which means an awful lot of potential sellers should he not feature in GW1, which would not come as one bit of a surprise considering he hasn’t even been named on the bench for Watfords last two friendlies… NO GO!
Brad Smith, I feel of the 3 named and most popular I see in RMTs is the best choice to go with. At under 5% ownership the threat of a price drop isn’t as big as with Parades but the likelihood of starting in GW1 is similar on the end of unlikely. Yes Bournemouth splashed out £6m for him but even for B’mouth that is pennies nowadays. He was bought for back up to their players’ player of the year & FPL favorite Charlie Daniels and that is what he will be for the start of the season at least. I can see him getting a few games here & there but if you’re in a position of possibly needing your £4m defender to play, then avoid Brad. For those thinking Smith might feature at LM/LW, their record signings of Ibe & Gradel along with King & Stanislas say hi… Don’t expect much!
Lenihan is one of only 3 fit defenders for Hull on FPL but like Parades he hasn’t been seen in pre-season. On the FPL site he makes sense to get but Elmohamady has been playing RB (which was Lenihans position before he moved over from Cork City) and Lenihan hasn’t even been seen on the bench for a team with only 13 fit players as we’ve heard all pre-season, so like Parades… NO GO!
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On the other end of the £4m defender perspective you have Swansea’s pair of Kingsley & Amat. Williams & Taylor who, thanks to their summer duties for Wales, haven’t featured at all during pre-season.
As a result of this, Kingsley has started 5 of Swansea’s 6 pre-season games at left back & Amat has started the last 3 at CB. Taylor is Swansea’s best & first choice LB but I would be surprised to see him start GW1 with no pre-season and that would leave Angel Rangel as Kingsleys main competition for the LB spot away at Burnley. Naughton started all 6 friendlies at RB with Rangel coming on in all 6 friendlies mainly for Kingsley at LB. To me that suggests that the spot is Kingleys until Taylor is back, which I reckon will be for the home game vs Hull so Kinglsey is only a one game option.
Amat is the one who I’m going with as I feel not only will he start GW1 but has a good chance of starting GW2 at home to Hull also. His spot is purely based on Williams leaving which should be done in the next two days. Amat started Swansea’s last 3 friendlies, completing 90 mins in the last 2. He partnered both Fernandez & van der Hoorn across those games and since the last friendly, Fernandez has picked up a knock, leaving Swansea with only two fit CBs, one being a £4m defender… Hopefully with Fernandez’ knock he is eased back into the side & new signing van der Hoorn is eased into the league. This could mean the experienced Amat could be central to a side that just lost their captain and main CB.
Parades, Smith & Lenihan could all start (very unlikely) but a bit more examining of pre-season and other details along with other options suggest there are better £4m defenders out there as the last thing you want is a player you never wanted to play to become a £3.9m who will cause you a headache every time you look at him. It is only my opinion that Amat is the best £4m defender to get but this by no means means that he is nailed or that you should base your defenders around this piece of information.
Great info. I think I may go with Amat
Great analyst Rambo it is alway worth the risk to take a 4m def & there are only 4 or 5 to choose from but you must take the hit in my opinion if he doesn’t start. There will be a lot of hits in GW 2 so if your lucky great if not take the hit. Cheers mate.
Really good info. Thanks Rambo. I’m tempted to initially go with one who won’t necessarily be playing, but definitely won’t drop in price. Just so I can transfer in the inevitable 4.0 starter when he becomes apparent.
Alex Bruce is your man there BM! He’s out till January & is red flagged meaning he is almost certainly not going to drop in price (if it works like the last few years with red flagged players).
Great knowledge yet again Rambo! Much appreciated.
Hi all, any improvements I can make here? Worth bringing in a Tottenham mf? Townsend v Bolasie? Thanks!
Hi Marco, I think that’s an excellent team. Only tweak I’d make would be to the double WBA defence. Lose one of those. Bolasie looking ever more likely to end up at Everton so not sure if that effects your decision.
Something doesn’t feel right with this, I think the 2 forwards are really effecting midfield and haven’t got it quite right. Is Firmino worth it when I could have 2x 7.5 rather than him and a 6.5? Would you prefer what I have or get rid of either Townsend or Deulofeu and choose 2 7.5 and if so who would you go with
Ayew
Barkley
Tadic
Lamela
Milner
Lallana
I hope that makes sense, my brain is fried!
Is anyone thinking Williams now instead of Baines?
Thank you
Hi joanne, I think you’re down to your final decision here really and yes it’s a toughie. I want Firmino but had the same issue. I ultimately went for a fairer split across the middle with the likes of Siggy, Redmond and Townsend. I’d be happy enough with yours as it is but equally happy to go for say Barkley and Siggy over him and Deulofeu. You’ll need to keep an eye on him too now though as Bolasie may take his spot if that move gets done.
Thanks Init might be worth getting him in now X
Joanne, swap Townsend and Delofeu for Lamela and Redmond and I think that’s prob the best team i’ve seen.
Thanks Cookie
Hello can you comment my team. i have 0mil and i set team for 3 GWs then ill prb. WC 😉
Valdes – Jakupovi?
Valencia – Stones – Morgan – Kingsley – Paredes
Hazard – Lamela- Mahrez – Redmond – Fletcher
Ibrahimovi? – Kun – Gray
TY
Bomba, looks pretty template for what most are posting on here.
The Haz & Mahrez & Ibra & Kun plan is pretty popular and then forces your hand on the rest. If you are willing to part with one or two of them you could have a more balanced team.
Ibra -> Vardy
Mahrez -> Mkhi
Valdes-> Courtois
And I think you would still have .5 to tweak elsewhere (if my math is correct. I don’t know if you would consider this an upgrade, but having a solid keeper would make your squad more balanced.
Ok ty ill see what i can do..
Hi guys hope the tinkering is going well.
Can you help me out with this team?
Am concerned with my midfield but funds are tight of course. Might downgrade courtois but open to suggestions.
Thanks NIN and Matt for replying earlier but went straight to work after I posted and forgot to check for replies on my break haha
Hey McButcher my concern here would be some United Att cover also not sure Punc will start you should also drop Siggy I know he’s a strong FFP but Swa I feel will drop out of the Prem this season & from GW 3 there fixtures are awful.
Maybe drop one of you 4.5m def to a 4m take a risk also look at any 6.5 to 6m MF player in place of Siggy & upgrade Punc good stuff. 😉
Thanks silvers any recommendations on a 4.0 DF? Puncheon was a concern brought up earlier also and I guess siggy and be downgraded to upgrade there
On United cover up front I had got Zlatan up front but decided to go with Kane due to him being proven the the Premier league and can see which of the United attackers do well over first couple weeks shouldn’t be hard to get someone in if needs be but it’s so hard to choose from United with so many options
McButcher Rambo did a very good piece on 4m def & he went with Amat which isn’t a bad call Here what your saying with MU I’ve had Kane in so may of my drafts it could work good luck mate.
Good luck pal. I’ll take a look at that
evening all, how is this team looking,and advice would be appreciated, cheers
heaton
shaw stones friend
alli hazard firminio redmond
aguero vardy gray
foster williams hojberg amat
canufeelit, very close to my squad, therefore it gets the thumbs up from me!
And mine :thumbup: